Adhd

4 Pages 989 Words

ADD
Today kids are having so much trouble controlling themselves, paying attention in class, and remembering things that should come easy. Many children have been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). To some children this disorder may come as a handicap preventing them to do things that other kids can do. According to epidemiological data, approximately 4% to 6% of the U.S poplulation has ADHD. ADHD is a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. These behaviors include distractibility (poor sustained attention to tasks), impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification), and hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness). Is there a cure for this disorder or just a drug to delay the effects of it?
ADHD usually persists throughout a person’s lifetime. It is not just limited to children. Approximately one-half to two-thirds of children with ADHD will continue to have significant problems with ADHD symptoms and behaviors as adults, which impacts their lives on the job, within the family, and in social relationships. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD your behavior patterns must be excessive, long-term, and persistent. These behaviors must appear before age 7, and continue for at least 6 months. A crucial concern is that the behaviors must create a real handicap in at least two areas of a person’s life, such as school, home, work, or social settings. These criteria set ADHD apart from the “normal” distractibility and impulsive behavior of childhood. According to the DSM-IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) some common symptoms of ADHD include: “Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes; often has difficulty sustaining attention to tasks; often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly; often fails to f...